Portable cooking grill



March 17, 1953 H. Ml-:TZGER PORTABLE COOKING GRILL Filed May 19. 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET l March 17, 1953 1 .'H. METzGER PORTABLE COOKING GRILL Filed May 19, r1949 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 Pafented Mar. 17, 1953 En STATES oFFIcE `PR'.fIvIE-I COOKING GRILL Leopolc1-;H;.-Metzger; Chicago; Ill.

Application 1'9, 1949; Seria'INO.' 92075:'

l s The present invention relates generally itoport'- ablegrillsfbruseV in cookingi More-particularly the* inventic'm-r relatestoth'at type of" portable co'ol'ing'v grill whichy is adapted forl useovery a camp-= fire; comprises al rectangulary Wireformed ifi-.amevv andfour' stake-like legswhich are located at" the"u corners" of` theL frame; serve *to* holdthe frame' invv elevated: positionrwith" respectA to the ground'overwhichs-the--reisbuilt andare-pivot*- ally-conn'ected'at theirupper end'sso" that when the* grillV i's not inf use# they may'Y be folded* into parallelf'relation with the frame:

One object' off theA invention" isV to' providev` a portablecook-ing grill ofW this' typewhich isan improvement upon; and fhascertain'- inherentlad vant'ages over, previously designed" grills andn is characterized byf simplicity of design', eiciency of operationiandilowl cost of manufacture:

Another object; ofitlieinvention' is to provide-a portable cookingl grill; of'A the*` type* underA consideration'Y in whichv each end member`lr of the frame has hinged; orf pivota'lly` connectedI toi it two" side` by side imperforate" substantially' reotangularplates"- which may' be selectively' swung back` andforthbetweema downwardl'yextending or dependinggpositionrwherein theyserve to pro'- tectr the refundertlierframe against Wind" from theend'of the fi'ameian'dL a position wherein they overlie the frame and" maybel usedV as skilletsin connection with cooking of meattor oth'erfoo'dt` Another'iobject'ofthef invention i'sgtoprovide a grilli ofA tlief type and character under consideratiornin. Which` the rear"4 longitudinalc member. of the fraine'has :hinged or pivotall'y connected to'it a iatv iinperfrate rectangular plate; which4 has Astarker-'like legsl hingedAv tofl its outer corners; is capable: offbeingfsupported"bythe# legs in aihori-f- Zonta-l-p'osition-wherein7 it" is disposed behind4 and inA copianarrelationwith'ftl're frame an'dforms" a table forJ supporting" food preparatcry o1 after cooking'and'is'also capableiof beingswungdown'- wards" into different"angular'positions so as'to afird'fltoitliereas muclror as littlewind protection` asdesired. n

` Anotheriobjfectof the'nventiorfisfl-t'ollprovide `a portable cooking-'"grillofL the aforementioned ch'aracter'- which f theflongitudinall'y` extending fi'oifitf'r an'dlrear membersofthe-rectangular `frame havel the ends :thereoflbent t'o `-forni eyes; theen'ds ofi theA transversely. extending-endmembers ofi the frame: arefrotatably: mountedi` in the?. eyes; and the-.guppen endsfof the four frameisupporting-'legs arerzfixedlyr connected tontheiv ends; of; and; extend atvri'ght angles to; the frame; endzmemberse and arezpivotally?supported1 wthirespeetrtortheframe byiheifendmembersa Y* Y Y .t

A1 fui'ther objectof the: inventiomis to `prov-ide ay lportable cooking grill: Wli'ic111tl:`1ef fname end membersfhave laterally offset' portions which are loosely vsurrounded byfpivotf sleeves; on' the p'roxi mali ends ofi' thee endI plates. and when the four framesupporting legs are in theinI operative persitionI extendv upwards' to:l the; endl. that?Y the end plates: will,4 when swung.:` into.l theinv skillet: form;- ingov position over the frame; lie flatly on: the frame.V

A still`A further` ob'jectlof the inventionl to provide-.a portable: cookingf grilliwliich is; gener# ally of new and improved*constructionfimwhich all' off' the partsii thereof may," bei folded; flatly against the frame.v whennl the grill is not in:use;

Gtherf objects of theeinventinz and thezzvarious advantages" and?y chara'cteristicstfA of'T theV present portablecooking grill willi bev apparent1 fromfa consideration off th'eI following` detailed d'escripition:

The" invention' consists ine theA several" novel features which= are'fherein'after seti forth.- andare more?v partitaularlylA definedby claims" at'.- the: cornc'lusion. here'ol In the. drawings: which; accompany andi form alA parti of' this?? specication'i or;- disclosurer` andi in Which-2 like@ numerals off reference; denotef corre; spending parts throughoutthe severalviews: Figure is .ai fronti persp'ective'fshowingr afport able" cookingz grill embodying; the?r invention in one ofiits'operativepositions andi with:l the end plates in' tl'ieirfs'l'iilletA foirniirig position'over'f the andtlfie backplate'fin its tablefrmingf' position whereinv it`4 extends# horizontally and? isV in' coi pla-narl relation with the frame VFigure Z! is? aL front perspective showing the girilllwitli theendplates thereof swun'gl' down- Wards' tolforrn win'dbreaks'-atl they ends; ofl the frame-and theback 'plate swung lialfgway down- Wards@ so as-'to form a partial? wind-break at' the' back -of'tl'e1frame;l n Y M Yligure fis.' anA end" elevation showing"the'fba'clfzv platefvsWung-completely down so'a-s to; for-m a completez win'dbreak aftithe back: of!y thefrarrie;

Figure 4 is air-:enlarged: fragmentaryc perspecL tiveJ, oft onret` corner' of the? frame illiistratingf in detailthe mannerl'inwhich the yfran'lefend mem-i bers;l are.:` rotatablymounteda in' the,y eyes;` at the endsv ofithe*y longitudinallyi extending members ofi the:l frame;F alsofillustrating; the.r manner4 in whiehltheN end plates are-"hinged-orpivotally cont# nected{to-thetframe'end .membersandthe stake= like supporting legsfortlieframeare connected to thefends1` of i thel end members: of the frame; andw Y Y 'sures andt 6iare.respeotively.-.- top andf bot- As hereinafter described more in detail the grill y is capable of being folded into a compact unit when it is not in use. Y

The frame Ill is adapted when the grill is in use to overlie the campre and consists of a front member I5, a back member I6, an inter-- mediate member I'I, a pair of end members I8 and a series of crossmembers I9. Preferably all of these members are formed of stiff wire or rod stock of circular cross section. The front, back and intermediate members I5, I6 and I1 extend lengthwise of the frame and are arranged or disposed in parallel relation. The intermediate member is positioned mid-way between the front and back members. The ends of the front, back and intermediate members are bent downwards, inwards and upwards to form substantially circular eyes 20. The end members I8 of the frame extend at right angles to the front, back and intermediate members and form the ends of the frame I0. The contral portions of the end members I8 extend loosely through the eyes at the ends of the intermediate member Hand the ends of the end members extend loosely through the eyes at the ends of the front and back members of the frame and hence the end members are supported rotatably. The portions of the end members that are Vdisposed between the front, back and intermediate members I5, I6 and I'I of the frame are deformed or bent to form U-shaped parts 2 I, the crosspieces of which are laterally offset with respect to the portions of the end members that extend through, and are rotatably mounted in the substantially circular eyes at the ends of the front, back and intermediate members.v The frame crossmembers are disposed between the frame end members and are spaced equidistantly apart. They overlie and extend at right angles to the front, back and intermediate members of the frame and have the central portions thereof welded to the subjacent portions of the `intermediate member I1 and their end portions welded to the subjacent portions of the front and back members. The last mentioned members of the frame are held or maintained in rigid connected relation by the crossmembers. When the grill is in use the vframe I serves as a medium for supporting over the re pots and pans. In addition, it may be used to support large sized pieces of meat in connection with a charcoal broiling operation.

The legs I I, like the various members of the frame, are formed of sti wire or rod stock. They are located at the corners of the frame and have the upper ends thereof formed integrally with the ends of the frame end members I8. The lower ends of the legs II are pointed so that they may be pushed or driven into the ground. As clearly shown in the drawings the legs II extend at an angle of 180 with respect to the U-shaped parts 2I of the frame end members. By reason of the fact that the upper ends of the legs are formed integrally with the ends of the frame end members and such Ymembersare mounted rotatablyby way ofV the'eyes-2II-the legs may be swung inwards and upwards into a folded position wherein they are in parallel relation with the frame and also downwards and outwards into an operative position wherein they extend at right angles to, and serve to support, the frame in an elevated position over the campfire. When it is desired to use the grill the legs are swung into their aforementioned operative position and are then driven downwards so as to embed their lower ends into the ground. Preferably the length of the legs is greater than half the length of the front, back and intermediate members of the frame. As shown in the drawings the U-shaped parts 2I of the end members I8 extend upwards when the legs II are in their operative position. The cross-pieces of the U- shaped parts are disposed immediately above the crossmembers I9 of the frame when the U-shaped parts extend upwards as the result of the legs I I being in their operative position.`

The end plates I2 of the grill are formed of any suitable metal, such, for example, as stainless steel. They are rectangular so far as shape or configuration is concerned and are approximately half as long as the front, back and intermediate members ofthe frame and slightly less than half as wide as the frame end members as shown in the drawings. The end plates I2 are imperforate and have certain ends thereof bent to form substantially cylindrical pivot sleeves 22. The latter extend loosely around the crosspieces of the U-shaped parts 2| of Vthe frame end members and serve so pivotally to support the end plates that the latter are capable of being swung back and forth between a depending position wherein they serve as wind breaks at the ends of the frame (see Figure l) and a skillet forming position wherein they overlie and rest on the crossmembers I9 of the frame. When in their skillet forming position the end plates I2 may be used as supports for hamburgers and other food products in connection with cooking thereof by the campfire under the frame. The Vend plates I2 may be selectively swung into and out of their skillet forming position. Due to the fact the the crosspieces of the U-shaped parts 2| of the frame end members are disposed immediately above the crossmembers I9 of the frame when the legs II are in theirv operative position the end plates I2 whenV in their skillet forming position over the grill frame rest fiatly on the frame crossmembers. When the grill is not in use the end plates I2 are folded under the frame I0, as best shown in Figure 6.

The back plate I3 is rectangular. It is formed of any suitable metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum, and, as shown in the drawings, is imperforate. The length of theback plate is substantially the same as the length of the frame Il] and the widthof the back plate is substantially equal to the length of the end plates. The front corners of the back plate I 3 are pivotally connected to the ends of the back member I6 of the frame by split rings 23. The latter are preferably of the type that are used in connection with looseleaf note books. They extend around the ends of the back memberv I6 of the frame and through holes 24k in the front corners of the back plate and permit the back plate to be swung upwards into a horizontal position wherein it is disposed in .Y back of, and in coplanar relation with, the frame I0 and serves as a table for supportingfood preparatory to, and after, cooking, and downwards intordilerent angular positions wherein it serves as a wind break at the back 0I verticaliV Wind'v break" position. The upperends ofthe legs I4arepivotally'connected tothe rear corners. oi".v the` backi platej I3"A byA split rings' 25 which are-like the rings23 and extend through holes 26 in theT rear cornersof. the back plate I3 and holes 2Tin the upper ends ofthe legs I4. The lowerA ends of'A thelr legsY |43 are pointed'` in order that they may be pushed-orvr driven into the ground. When it is desired to support the back plate I3 in its table., forming position. the legs Iltarevertically positioned. as shown. in Eigure'L. If it' is desired't'o utilize .the Ibackplate as.a,parti`al }wind" break for thejre the. legsare swung forwards into an angular position. and then driven into the ground as shown in Figure 2. When it is desired to use the back plate as a complete wind break it is swung downwards into a vertical position. In such position it is contemplated that the legs I4 will rest atly on the ground as shown in Figure 3. By adjusting the angular position of the back plate with respect to the horizontal such plate will afford as much or as little wind protection as desired. When the grill is not in use the legs I4 are swung under the back plate as shown in Figure 5.

When it is desired to use the grill the frame supporting legs II are swung downwards into a right angle position with respect to the frame Ill and their lower ends are pushed into the ground. Thereafter the back plate I3 is swung into the desired position and maintained in such position by embed-ding the lower ends of the legs I4 into the ground. If it is desired to protect the re under the frame from wind from the back and sides the side plates I2 and the end plate I3 are swung downwards. Should the user of the grill desire to cook a hamburger, for example, one of the end plates I2 is swung over the frame into its skillet forming position. When it is desired to store or transport the grill the legs II and I4 are withdrawn from the ground and the Various pivotally mounted parts of the grill are folded into the position shown in Figures 5 and 6.

The herein described portable cooking grill effectively and eiliciently fulfills its intended purpose andk due to its particular design or construction may be produced at a comparatively low cost. It is capable of being readily adjusted for use and when not in use occupies but a comparatively small space. One special or particular advantage of the present portable cooking grill resides in the fact that the end plates I2 are spaced laterally apart and hence, regardless of how many are used, there are spaces which permit the smoke from the fire to contact the food product or products on the side plates Vbeing used to impart flavor thereto. In the use of a portable cooking grill to cook hamburgers or similar food products it has been found in practice that in the event the hamburgers are of crumbly consistency they cannot be cooked on the crossmembers I9. With the present grill it is possible by use of the end plates I2 efciently to cook hamburgers which are crumbly or nonrigid due to too much moisture while at the same time enabling them to receive ilavor from the smoke emanating fromthe re.

' Therinvention-is not to'fbe understood as` restrictedf tO-the'detaiISset forth since these may be modifiedy within thescope of the appended claims without` departingv from the spirit and scope :of theinvention.

Having thus described the invention-whatl' claim asV new andy desire to secure by Letters Patentis:v i f 1. Asanew-articleofmanufacturaa portable cooking-grill adapted for usel in connection with a campreon the'V ground, and comprising a metallici-rectangularopen work frame consistingy ofl front-and rear members,y an end member connected' to; and extending between, certain ends` of; the-front andl back members, a second endY the, front and back members, stake-like legs de'- signed to support the frame in an elevated' position with respect to the ground and having the upper ends thereof connected to the corners of the frame, and a rectangular imperforate metallic end plate of less length than the legs, having one end thereof bent to form a sleeve which extends loosely around the crosspiece of the U- shaped part and forms therewith a pivotal connection whereby the end plate is permitted to swing back and forth between a wind break position wherein it depends from, and is parallel to, said second end member and a skillet forming position wherein it rests flatly on certain of the cross members of the frame.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a portable cooking grill adapted for use in connection with a campfire on the ground, and comprising a metallic rectangular open work frame consisting of front and rear members with eyes on their ends, an end member extending between certain ends of the front and back members and having its ends journalled in the eyes of said certain ends of the front and rear members so that it is supported rotatably, a second end member extending between the other ends of said front and rear members, having its ends journalled in the eyes on said other ends of the front and rear members so that it is supported rotatably, and embodying between its ends a pair of spaced apart U-shaped parts, and a series of spaced apart crossmembers having the ends thereof resting on, and connected to,.the front and back members, four stake-like legs designed to support the frame in an elevated position with respect to the ground, having the upper ends thereof flxedly connected to the ends of the end members of the frame, and adapted when the grill is not in use to be folded into parallel relation with said frame, and a pair of laterally spaced rectangular imperforate metallic end plates of less length than the legs and of less combined width than the frame, having certain ends thereof bent to form sleeves which extend loosely around said crosspieces of said U -shaped parts, respectively, and form therewith pivotal connections whereby the end plates are permitted selectivelyto be swung back and forth between a Wind break position wherein they depend from, and are parallel to, said second end member and a skillet forming position wherein they rest flatly on certain of the frame crossmembers.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a portable cooking grill adapted for use in connection with a campfire on the ground and comprising a meacaban;-

7, tallic rectangular open Work frame embodying longitudinally extending rod variety front and rear members disposed in spaced apart and parallel relation and having the ends thereof shaped to form eyes, a pair of transversely extending rod variety end members extending between the ends of the front and rear members, having the ends thereof extending through, and mounted rotatably in, the eyes, and provided between their ends with U-shaped parts, and a plurality of spaced apart crossmembers arranged in parallel relation with the end members and having the ends thereof resting on, and secured to, said Vfront and rear members, stake-like legs designed to support the frame in an elevated position with respect to the ground, having the upper ends thereof fixedly connected to the ends of the end members lying in the same plane as, but projecting oppositely to, said U-shaped parts and adapted when the grill is not in use to be swung towards one another into lapped relation with said front and rear members, and a pair of rectangular 8. metallicend plates of less length than the legs, having certain ends thereof bent to form substantially cylindrical sleeves which extend loosely around the crosspieces of the U-shaped parts and form therewith pivotal connections whereby the end plates are permitted to swing back and forth between a Wind break position wherein they depend from the end members of the frame and a skillet forming position whereinthey rest flatly on certain of the frame crossmembers.

' LEOPOLD H. METZGER.

REFERENCES CITED VThe following references are of record in the le of this patentz' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,403,842 Chambers Jan. 1'7, 1922 1,435,747 Seiling Nov. 14, 1922 1,484,476 Currie Feb. 19, 1924 1,778,330 Mayer Oct. 14, 1930 

